US places 1,504 undocumented children in NJ

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — More than 1,500 unaccompanied children who entered the country illegally have been placed with sponsors in New Jersey so far this year.

New federal data released Thursday shows 1,504 unaccompanied children were placed in New Jersey through July 7. A total of 30,340 were placed nationwide.

The U.S. is battling a surge in the number of unaccompanied children who have been fleeing violence in Central America and crossing into the U.S.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families says it releases children to sponsors, such as relatives or family friends. If they can’t find a sponsor, children typically remain in federal care.

Gov. Chris Christie said this week that his administration had received no federal notification that any children had been sent to the state.